EcoTourism

EcoTourism

Ecotourism

Quicksilver is proud to have achieved Advanced Ecotourism Certification for all of our Great Barrier Reef operations – the highest eco certification attainable in Australia. This ensures our visitors have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the environment, and as an operator, highlights our commitment to the ongoing conservation of this most important World Heritage area.

What is the Eco Certification Program?

The Eco Certification Program is an initiative of Ecotourism Australia, which has established an Eco Certification Program Management Committee to provide policy and management support for the program.

The Eco Certification Program operates as a self-funding, not-for-profit program, with a Management Committee overseeing an Audit and Assessment Panel, which are chaired by a person independent of Ecotourism Australia.

Credibility with industry, communities and travellers is at the heart of the Eco Certification Program. This is maintained through:

A rigorous assessment process including referees (one of whom must be a protected area manager)

Review and updating of criteria every three years to reflect emerging best practice

Feedback from customers of accredited operators

Audits of operators, including an on-site audit on the entire set of the Eco Certification Program criteria at some stage during the period of accreditation.

Global Tourism Sustainable Council

The GSTC are an independent body that establishes and manages global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism with the aim of increasing sustainable tourism knowledge and practices.

The GSTC Approved tick logo means that our ECO certified products are certified under a certification program, namely Ecotourism Australia’s ECO certification, is using a Global Sustainable Tourism Council recognised standard, is following processes and procedures that have been reviewed and approved by the GSTC, and that the certification procedures largely meet international standards for transparency, impartiality, and competence.